PENGUINS – ISLANDERS PRE GAME BUZZ
The New York Islanders are 10-2-1 in their last 13 games, including 6-1 in their last seven games after an impressive seven game road trip capped off by a thrilling 6-4 win over the Rangers on Sunday.
This sets up as a really interesting game and not just because the two teams are separated by three points (Islanders have two games in hand).
In the only meeting this season, Pittsburgh routed New York by climbing out to a 5-0 lead, en route to a 5-2 win. It was a stretch in the season for Pittsburgh that started with Sidney Crosby going on a tear in the month of January. He was dominant in the win vs New York with two goals.
What was interesting with that performance from the Penguins is last season the Penguins were over-matched by the Islanders overall speed and skill in their lineup in possessing a four line deep team. The Islanders possession game was significantly superior.
With a new system and more speed in the lineup, the January 2nd meeting saw Pittsburgh really dictate the game with their speed, putting up 43 shots, which was a major contrast from matchups last season. One trend, though, that continued in the Islanders favor was shot-attempt differential, a +20 edge 5 v 5 in the only meeting two months ago, 68-48.
The win for Pittsburgh was also special teams dominated by Pittsburgh in getting two power play goals from Crosby and a shorthanded marker from Matt Cullen.
One key player missing from the Islanders lineup in that meeting was Johnny Boychuk. Boychuk is now back in the lineup.
It would be quite a surprise to see the Penguins put on a similar type of performance but are they now built better to matchup with the Isles?
With five weeks to go into the regular season and the NHL playoffs all about matchups, the Penguins and Islanders starting tonight meet three times in a 25 day span, including twice in a week. These three meetings will give a good barometer if the Penguins truly matchup better with the Islanders than they did last season.
In Pittsburgh, the talk is often of the Rangers being the worst possible matchup for the Penguins, while the talk in Rangers circles is the Islanders being an awful matchup for the Rangers.
For a potential Islanders – Penguins first round series that could still happen in a 2-3 scenario, it’s fair to say it’s unknown how these two clubs matchup due to the Penguins change of style and personnel in some areas compared to last season. That’s why these next couple games between the two are very intriguing.
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I cant wait for the hockey purists to attack this, but if the captain plays better when he feels protected (DK article says 87 likes having sestito here) then I dont care if the game has changed or not you keep an enforcer on the team. I would prefer an enforcer take up ice time over the craig adams types (porter, archibald, AHL lifers) anyhow.
Just reinforces to me what a twat the captain is.
That’s because Crosby is nailing your wife.
pens should strip the C from Sid and give it to Kessel according to Stan
I’m not married. But the way you lap up his ball sweat, maybe he’s just that magical.
I am no ta fan of the goon anymore but if it helps light a consistent fire under Crosbys ass… so be it. Him going full flight is more important than having a 4th liner chip in 4 or 5 goals a season. That noted… if Sestito becomes a problem then Sids gonna have to find another way to feel good about the line up IMO
On that note… he has 10 goals in about 140 games… roughly 5 a year lol. He’s no Porter offensively but I guess he will do for now 😉
Agreed. Good post
Of course you agree. It’s not like it’s the goalie. And you don’t realize other people play. So hey. Whatever. Play a meat head! You won’t notice anyway.
so the rangers would be the worst matchup, but its impossible to say how the pens and islanders matchup due to a change of style and some personnel? got it. also: rangers circles
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/canadiens-poor-play-bell-centre-1.3432921
We need Yahoo Answers to confirm
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/781163-nhls-5-most-obvious-bandwagons/page/5
if your not a badnwagon fan then you like to watch millionaire losers play a game…….i’d rather be a bandwagon and spend my money on other things during times of epic failure…but i have my priorities straight….most french p*ssies (sam the retard) dont.
2 for 1 tickets! In Montreal!
http://www.thesportster.com/entertainment/top-15-teams-with-the-most-bandwagon-fans/?view=all
http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2012/03/04/penguins-were-last-in-nhl-attendance-in-2003-04-proving-once-and-for-all-that/9957/